Meeting of Session Monday, March 9, 2020
7:00 PM Consent Agenda ACTION ITEMS
1. Approval of February 10, 2020 Session Meeting Minutes (pp. 2–4). Deana
Cooper, Clerk of Session, moves that the minutes of this meeting be approved as written.
2. Approval of Called Session Meetings Minutes from February to receive new
members (p. 5). Deana Cooper, Clerk of Session, moves that the minutes of these meetings be approved as written.
3. Approval of request for changes to active roll (p. 6). 4. Approval of baptisms (p. 7).
5. Approval of the 2020 worship schedule (p. 8). 6. Approval of wedding bulletin fees increase (p. 9).
INFORMATION ITEMS
1. February 2020 Treasurer’s Report (pp. 10–11). 2. Extended Communion Report (p. 12).
3. Presbytery Meeting Minutes (pp. 13–14). 4. Clerk’s Communications (p. 15).
FUTURE EVENTS
April 9 Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 PM Sanctuary April 10 Good Friday Service 7:00 PM Sanctuary April 11 Children’s Easter Service 10:00 AM Sanctuary April 12 Easter Services 8:45 AM Chapel
9:30 AM Sanctuary 11:00 AM Sanctuary 11:00 AM Fellowship Hall April 13 Church office closed
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Minutes of The Session Meeting on
Monday, February 10, 2020
Call to Order – Moderator, Bob Henderson
Moderator Bob Henderson called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm in the Peek Music Room. He opened the meeting with scripture, a short reflection on the previous week’s many activities, and prayer.
Determination of Quorum and Adoption of Agenda
The moderator declared a quorum was present and the agenda was adopted as written. Adoption of Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was adopted with one amendment (on page 18 of 19, in the New Member section of the report, for Transfer Letter bullet point, the year was changed from 2018 to 2019).
Administration No Report
Planning & Evaluation No Report
Personal Report – Katie Stewart, Chair
Tim Ross is back at work as of February 3. He has three weeks of restricted duty and physical therapy.
Open positions:
Child Development Center – 2 floaters and an assistant.
Children’s Ministry Director – actively interviewing candidates, wonderful leadership from Carla Haughton.
Children’s Ministry Assistant – currently filled by Mollie Lee, job is posted.
Middle School Youth Director – currently filled by Alyssa Pacheco as interim, search committee of JD DuPuy, Catherine Austin, Jenny Longshore, Will Summerville and Amy Capitano will begin at the end of the month.
Congregational Ministry Coordinator – Katherine Kerr reports there are a couple of qualified applicants, Terry Horne and Marilyn Mickle plan to schedule interviews.
Operations Director - on hold until needs assessment is complete. An update will be presented to the Personnel Committee in April.
The search for a summer intern will begin soon.
The Personnel Committee is conducting a review of the Employee Handbook. This coincides with the significant increase of employees due to the opening of the CDC.
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Engagement – Alan Morrow, Chair
Since 2009, church membership has been growing steadily; up 33% over the past ten years. Growth has been strongest in the 26-45 age demographic in the past five years. Ian Clark commented that this cohort wants authenticity, a source of meaning and a sense of joy. They want close, trusting, supportive friendships and to put those friendships to use in service.
The Engagement Ministry is responsible for fostering participation in our church family. Goals for this ministry in 2020 include:
1. Stimulate increased communication about visitors: gather important information about visitors. 2. New member follow-up: reengage with new members one month after joining.
3. Time and Talent sheets: explore new ways to implement this concept. 4. Relocate new member photographs: search for places of higher visibility. Education – Allyson Easterling, Education Ministry, Past Chair
Covenant has partnered with a consultant group, Ministry Architects, to help build a strategic
framework for our Youth Ministries that will enable us to weather transitions easily, have a sustainable youth program, and pour love and energy into our youth through relationships.
This partnership began March of last year with a goal of wrapping it up in May – June 2020. The Youth Impact Team, made up of education staff and parents, meet with Ministry Architect consultants monthly. Additionally, the consultants are working directly with staff.
Game Plans
• Create a plan to welcome, introduce and retain rising sixth grade students and their families. • Create a plan to welcome and retain 9th grade students and their families in the youth program. • Milestones Game Plan – milestones have been approved and will be shared with the Session
soon.
Additionally, the Youth Impact Team plans to create a “fishing pond” of potential volunteers needed for 2020-2021.
A suggestion was made to publicize the Fishing Pond broadly in order to attract as large a group of volunteers as possible. Likewise, a suggestion was made to integrate music involvement into this effort.
Mission & Outreach – Derek Thomas, Chair
The Mezzanine leasing office opened on January 27. More than 1,400 applications were made for the 129 units dedicated to affordable housing. There were some issues (tent, electricity, application fee). A significant takeaway is just how graphically this illustrates the need for affordable housing in Charlotte.
The final session of the Woven Together/Torn Apart series is scheduled for February 12. The Mission Festival is scheduled for February 23.
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Covenant was well represented at the Presbytery meeting on February 8. All session members are encouraged to attend at least one meeting during their tenure as active elders.
Congregational Life No Report
Worship No Report
Clerk’s Report – Deana Cooper, Clerk of Session
A motion was made, seconded and approved to elect Katherine Kerr as moderator for the March 9 Session meeting.
Mary Kate McAlister, Lucy Crain, Daniel Heath and Ashley Anderson all continue to progress toward completion of seminary studies. Deana read an email received from Ann Ayers, Mary Kate
McAlister’s Covenant liaison, sharing an update of what Mary Kate’s spring semester will look like. Old Business/ New Business
Staff Announcements / Pastoral Concerns
Eboo Patel, Interfaith Youth Core founder, is speaking at Queens University on February 18.
Interfaith Youth Core collaborates with universities and colleges across the United States to promote the idea that religion should be a bridge in cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance online.
There are just two remaining dates for directory photographs, February 21 and 22.
Casey Donahue, of The Moth, a New York podcast dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling, will show the power of stories to transform lives and communities. Casey will be at Covenant on March 1 at 6:00 pm.
Pastoral concerns were shared. Closing Prayer
Katherine Kerr closed the meeting with prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. Respectfully submitted,
__________________________ _________________________ Deana Cooper, Clerk Robert W. Henderson, Moderator
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Called Session Meetings Sundays, February 2, and 9, 2020
Covenant held two Called Session Meetings each on a Sunday morning for the purpose of receiving new members. Lora Borrelli introduced the following new members and information:
February 2, 2020
Kevin Williams Reaffirmation
Rachel Wixted Transfer Letter--Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC Ryan Wixted Reaffirmation
Debra Krause Transfer Letter--4th Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL Neil Cottrell Restored to active membership roll
February 9, 2020
Mary Chapman Transfer Letter--Faith Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee, FL
Active (confirmed) members as of 2/29/20: 2422 2020 new members as of 2/29/20: 24
2020 new affiliate members as of 2/29/20: 2 New members since last report: 6
2020 transfers as of 2/29/20: 1 2020 deaths as of 2/29/20: 0
Motions of acceptance were made, seconded and approved. Each meeting adjourned with prayer. Respectfully submitted,
___________________________ ______________________________
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Meeting
Request for Changes in the Active Roll Removed from Active Roll Per Request
Name Transferred to: _________________
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Action Item
Summary
SUBJECT: March and April 2020 Baptisms DATE: March 9, 2020
Report From: Ministry of Worship, Baptism Committee Chair: Casey Unger Background: Baptisms must be approved by the Session.
Process to Date: Parents request that their children be baptized in March and April 2020. Budget Impact: None
Actions Taken or Recommendation: The Baptism Committee, with the support of the Ministry of Worship, recommends approval of the following baptisms that will occur in March and April 2020:
Sunday March 8, 2020 at the 11am Traditional service in the Covenant Sanctuary Olivia Brooke Boucher
Parents- Kristin and James Boucher
Sunday March 15, 2020 at the 9:30am contemporary service in the Covenant Sanctuary Hayes Michael Anderson
Parents- Ashlee and Michael Anderson
Sunday March 15, 2020 at the 11:00am Traditional service in the Covenant Sanctuary Jason Victor Wallace, Jr.
Parents-Katherine and Jason Wallace
Sunday March 22, 2020 at the 9:30am contemporary service in the Covenant Sanctuary Poppy James Hensley
Parents- Brooke and Adam Hensley
Sunday March 22, 2020 at the 11:00am traditional service in the Covenant Sanctuary Bennett Gray Hoffman
Parents- Allison and Ryan Hoffman
*Sunday April 5, 2020 at the 9:30am contemporary service in the Covenant Sanctuary, Robert Fox McQuiston
Parents- Peter and Corey McQuiston
*Requesting Jim McQuiston (child's grandfather, Covenant member, retired Presbyterian minister) to baptize
Motion: Motion to approve the baptisms of Olivia Brooke Boucher, Hayes Michael Anderson, Jason Victor Wallace, Jr., Poppy James Hensley, Bennet Gray Hoffman, and Robert Fox McQuiston (requesting baptism be administered by Jim McQuiston (child's grandfather, Covenant member, retired Presbyterian minister).
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Action Item
Summary
SUBJECT: 2020 Worship Schedules and Formats DATE: March 9, 2020
Report From: Ministry of Worship Chair: Sarah Crowder
Background: In the past, worship schedules for the summer and on the Sundays after July 4 and Christmas and on CIC Sunday have been changed.
Process to Date: The Ministry of Worship Chair and Vice Chair have met with Bob Henderson. The other elders in leadership have discussed among themselves and unanimously approved this matter. Budget Impact: Yes. It will reduce the expenses of the Ministry of Worship (although the changes are not being done for this purpose).
Actions Taken or Recommendation: The Ministry of Worship has approved the following changes in the worship schedules and formats for Covenant for the remainder of 2020:
• The Chapel worship service (8:45 on Sundays) will pause for the summer. o The last Chapel worship service for the summer will be on May 17, 2020.
o The Chapel service will not occur on the Sunday before Memorial Day (May 24, 2020). o Chapel Worship services will resume on September 13, 2020 (the Sunday after Labor Day). • On Sunday, July 5, 2020, there will be one service at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary, with a
contemporary format.
• On the Sunday after Covenant Impacts Charlotte, (Date TBD) there will be one worship service, with a blended format.
• On Sunday, December 27, 2020, there will be one service at 11 AM in the Sanctuary, with a traditional format.
• Except for these changes, all other services will continue on their normal schedules throughout 2020.
Motion: N/A
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Action Item
Summary
SUBJECT: Fees Increase for Wedding Bulletins DATE: March 9, 2020
Report From: Ministry of Worship, Wedding Committee Chair: Nancy Atwell
Background: Craig Harmon, Covenant’s Communication/Media Assistant and coordinator of in-house wedding bulletin production, approached the Wedding Committee Chair, Nancy Atwell, with a request to consider an increase to his current fees. Currently, Craig charges $125 to the wedding couple for bulletin consultation, design and coordination of printing. He has requested that these fees increase to $150.
Process to Date: Craig has indicated that the position/work has proven to be a bit more time consuming over time: meeting with bride/groom/parent(s), bulletin planning/design/layout, revisions, obtaining info from minister and music director as well as coordinating printing and delivery. Typical rates from this type of work range from $45-65 per hour so $150 would still be a great value for the comprehensive services provided.
Budget Impact: None
Actions Taken or Recommendation: This action has been approved by the Wedding Committee and forwarded to the Ministry of Worship, which has also approved the action.
Motion: As proposed by the Wedding Committee, the Ministry of Worship moves that the Wedding Bulletin Fee Structure be increased by raising Craig Harmon’s fees for wedding bulletin consultation, design, and coordination of printing from $125 to $150. This increase in fees will not impact wedding couples who have already been quoted the current price of $125 but will be effective immediately for any couples requesting this service in the future. The wedding booklet will be amended to reflect this change.
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Monthly Financial Comments
February 2020 Income Statement Comments
Income: Year-to-date Pledge Receipts totaled $884,472, above budget by $83,472, and accounted for 29% of the full-year budget, at the high end of the historic trend. Miscellaneous Contributions also continue to exceed the year-to-date budgeted amount, by $17,043.
The CDC budget reflects a full enrollment assumption on each of the income and expenses side. However, enrollment is not full, so tuition receipts were under budget by ($71,635).
Expenses: CDC expenses were lower than budget by ($75,326), due to not being at full staff or full enrollment (see above). Personnel expense was also favorable to budget, by ($38,282), due to open positions. Like with the CDC, Personnel expense is budgeted as if all roles are filled. Finally,
Administration expenses were over budget, driven by higher cleaning, repairs and maintenance costs.
The Bottom Line: Year-to-date net income was $601,336, higher than budgeted by $140,193, and was driven by the January instalment (Investment Income) being distributed from the General
Endowment, higher percentages of Pledge Receipts and Miscellaneous Contributions coming in January, and the budget variances mentioned above.
Balance Sheet Comments
Significant changes in the Balance Sheet as of February 29, as compared with January 31, were as follows:
Line 22: Primarily reflects Capital Campaign payment to Shelco, a decrease in the General Fund Balance (Line 36) from the February income statement and an increase in the Infrastructure Fund (Line 30)
Line 23: Rosebro bank account decrease reflects a transfer into investment account (Line 26), pursuant to direction from the Investment Committee, to begin earning income for the CDC Scholarship Fund
Lines 26 and 32: Reflects transfer from Rosebro bank account into investment account. The Rosebro Fund continues to be separately tracked within the fund balances
Line 30: Reflects receipt of insurance proceeds for the late 2019 Fellowship Hall drain/sewer repairs Line 33: Reflects transfer to Line 32 mentioned above, as well as Capital Campaign payment to Shelco
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Period ending: 02/28/20
Y-T-D Actual as % of Annual Budget
INCOME STATEMENT YTD YTD YTD Annual
Budget Actual Variance Budget 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Income: 1 Pledge Receipts $ 801,000 $ 884,472 $ 83,472 $ 3,010,000 29% 23% 21% 27% 28% 26% 2 Misc Contributions $ 143,000 $ 160,043 $ 17,043 $ 395,700 3 Investment Income $ 137,000 $ 136,567 $ (433) $ 286,000 4 Other Receipts $ 4,000 $ 1,531 $ (2,469) $ 55,000 5 Food Service $ 17,000 $ 16,850 $ (150) $ 110,000 6 Recreation Wing Rec$ 17,300 $ 16,704 $ (596) $ 145,000 7 Child Cevelopment $ 220,600 $ 148,965 $ (71,635) $ 1,323,600 8 Preschool Receipts $ 64,400 $ 64,903 $ 503 $ 310,000 9 Youth Trips $ 8,675 $ 12,460 $ 3,785 $ 70,700 10 Adult Trips $ 6,850 $ 6,500 $ (350) $ 67,400 Total Income $ 1,419,825 $ 1,448,995 $ 29,170 $ 5,773,400 25% 22% 22% 27% 27% 26% Expenses: 11 Worship $ 21,475 $ 15,171 $ (6,304) $ 112,650 12 Congregational Life $ 2,550 $ 2,517 $ (33) $ 34,850 13 Engagement $ 1,750 $ 1,016 $ (734) $ 7,500 14 Mission & Outreach $ 53,421 $ 53,119 $ (302) $ 618,000 15 Education $ 25,567 $ 23,078 $ (2,488) $ 156,400 16 Administration $ 109,805 $ 118,851 $ 9,046 $ 621,750 17 Food Service $ 10,200 $ 10,218 $ 18 $ 69,500 18 Recreation Ministries$ 19,000 $ 25,457 $ 6,457 $ 32,650 19 Child Development $ 220,541 $ 145,215 $ (75,326) $ 1,240,248 20 Preschool $ 61,900 $ 58,824 $ (3,076) $ 318,900 21 Personnel $ 432,473 $ 394,191 $ (38,282) $ 2,477,600 Total Expenses $ 958,682 $ 847,658 $ (111,023) $ 5,690,048 15% 15% 17% 15% 15% 15% Net Income $ 461,143 $ 601,336 $ 140,193 $ 83,352
BALANCE SHEET February January Change
Assets:
22 BB&T Checking/Savings $ 3,698,338 $ 4,203,718 $ (505,380) 23 WF Holding/Rosebro & M&F $ 221,474 $ 1,419,402 $ (1,197,928) 24 Petty Cash $ 350 $ 350 $ -25 Accounts Receivable and Advances $ 149,168 $ 141,752 $ 7,416 26 General Endowment Fund Mkt Value$ 13,843,824 $ 12,660,991 $ 1,182,833 27 Cornerstone Endowment Fund Mkt Value2,025,000$ $ 2,025,000 $
-Total Assets $ 19,938,154 $ 20,451,213 $ (513,059)
Liabilities:
28 Accounts Payable and Misc. Accruals$ (5,529) $ 7,344 $ (12,874)
Total Liabilities $ (5,529) $ 7,344 $ (12,874)
Fund Balances:
29 Donor Advised $ 88,344 $ 93,344 $ (5,000) 30 Infrastructure Fund/Cornerstone Income 283,914$ $ 216,751 $ 67,163 31 Payable to Endowment Corpus $ 675 $ 650 $ 25 32 Restricted Endowments & Cornerstone 13,843,824$ $ 12,660,991 $ 1,182,833 33 Restricted Funds $ 2,369,773 $ 4,074,166 $ (1,704,393) 34 Non-Budgeted Benevolences $ 141,383 $ 142,597 $ (1,214) 35 Section 125 Plan $ 2,422 $ 2,223 $ 200 36 Genl Fund Balance $ 1,064,254 $ 1,103,455 $ (39,201) 37 Columbarium $ 47,259 $ 47,364 $ (105) 38 Reserve Fund Balances $ 76,835 $ 77,328 $ (493)
Total Fund Balances $ 17,918,684 $ 18,418,869 $ (500,185)
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Information Item
Summary
SUBJECT: Extended Communion Report DATE: March 9, 2020
Report From: Ministry of Worship, Extended Communion Committee Chair: Amy Hunter Extended Communion was served on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
Elders Serving:
Catherine and Stan Bracey Bill and Gwen Fox
Betty Graybeal Marilynn Mickle Alan Morrow
Mary Wood and Hank Stallings Wade Pridgen
Members served (planned): Linda Blythe (and husband Bob) Anna Bracey Don Dartnall Edna Hamilton Dick McClintock Ida Offerdahl
While certain circumstances intervened and not all were able to be served, each was appreciative of being contacted and remembered as part of the Covenant family.
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Information Item
Summary
SUBJECT: Presbytery Meeting Notes DATE: March 9, 2020
Report From: Ministry of Mission and Outreach Chair: Derek Thomas Highlights of the 145th Stated Meeting of Charlotte Presbytery
Hosted by Philadelphia Presbyterian Church Saturday, February 8, 2020
Ruling Elders present from Covenant: Sarah Crowder, Phil Koonce, Alan Morrow, Damon Nelson, Tommy Lawson, and Derek Thomas. Teaching Elders present from Covenant: Bob Henderson, Julia Watkins, and Grace Lindvall.
It was with great joy and thanksgiving that we gathered at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill, as they celebrate their 250th anniversary. Our 2019 Moderator, Elder Doris Boyd (C.N. Jenkins), called the meeting to order and opened with prayer. She then turned over the gavel to the 2020 Moderator, Rev. Veronica Cannon. Rev. Cannon formally thanked Moderator Boyd on behalf of the Presbytery, for outstanding service as 2019 Moderator and presented her with a certificate of appreciation from the Presbytery. Rev. Danny Trapp, Interim Pastor, brought greetings on behalf of the Philadelphia congregation.
The Presbytery entered into a time of worship including the Installation of the Rev. Dr. Alice Ridgill as the Associate General Presbyter of Charlotte Presbytery. Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston served as Moderator of the Installation Service. Rev. Hope Lee, Pastor of Kirkwood Church, Bradenton, FL, delivered the sermon, entitled "The Walmart Conundrum, based on Matthew 25:1-13. Music was provided by a combined Presbytery Choir, under the direction of Marcellus Hoover and Linda Hoover McCain (McClintock). Elder Heath Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly, gave the charge to the Rev. Ridgill. Rev. Warren Lesane, Jr., Executive/Stated Clerk of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, delivered the charge to the Presbytery. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was led by Rev. Ridgill and Rev. Lee. Elders from Philadelphia Church assisted with serving communion.
General Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston gave an update on the opportunities for ministry and mission and challenged each church to give $29 per member to the Presbytery for mission giving and per capita. The Presbytery now has a GIVELIFY account, where people can make donations to Presbytery mission giving through the app on their phones. She introduced the Inlighten video series by Scott Galloway (DCPC). Thanks to a donation from a ministry from Myers Park, each of the 96 churches in the Presbytery have been given a subscription to the series. Rev. Carol Hassel and Rev. Deborah Conner presented the report of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM). Kim Stamey (First-Concord) was enrolled as an Inquirer in the preparation process. Selina Malherbe (First-Charlotte) was approved as a Candidate for Ministry.
Rev. John Cleghorn and Rev. Willie Keaton, Co-Chairs of the Anti-Racism Task Force, presented a Resolution on The Brooklyn Redevelopment Project. Elder William Harris (First-United) shared his
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experience with the loss of the Brooklyn Community in the 1960s.The resolution was unanimously approved by the Presbytery.
The Presbytery honored Rev. Dr. James Thomas on the 30th anniversary of being called as its first African American Associate General Presbyter.
Rev. Neal Carter and Elder Katherine Dunlap presented the report of the Committee on Ministry, which began with presentation of honorable retirement for three ministers of the Presbytery. Rev. Joe B. Martin (Sardis) gave a wonderful tribute to the ministry of Rev. Jane Fobel, retiring as Associate Pastor at Sardis on February 29th. Dennis Grills (Sharon) paid tribute to the ministry of Rev. Steve Mitchell, retiring as Pastor of MorningStar Church on February 29th. Rev. Fred
Rose retired as Interim Pastor of Meadowlake Church on January 17th.
Rev. Grace Lindvall was approved as Associate Pastor at Covenant-Charlotte Church. The
Presbytery welcomed Rev. Jason Bryant, Pastor, Cook’s Memorial Church, Rev. M. Daniel Trapp, Interim Pastor at Philadelphia Church, Rev. Benjamin Brannan, Pastoral Resident at Myers Park Church, Rev. Rebekah Hutto, Temporary Associate Pastor at Trinity Church, Rev. Bruce Chapman, Honorably Retired, Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Pastor-Elect at Meadowlake Church, Rev. Robert Campbell, Honorably Retired.
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Covenant Presbyterian Church Session Information Item
Summary
Subject: Clerk Communications From: Deana Cooper, Clerk
Communication has been received from the following organizations in acknowledgement of donations:
• Union Presbyterian Seminary • Heifer International
• Charlotte Rescue Mission • Loaves & Fishes
• McColl Center • Habitat of Charlotte • Freedom School Partners • Refugee Support Services • One World Health
